Scan barcode
A review by daphelba
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez
4.0
If you've ever internally or outwardly said, "Go Home!" when referring to an Immigrant or the politically-labeled and persecuted immigrant group, you really should make yourself read this book. If I could make you, I would.
This book will deliver so many emotions and on a level that even the most unsympathetic, entitled, American-born bastard ought to be able to embrace. If you can't put yourself in the shoes of the less-fortunate you have no business sharing your opinions about them. The opinions I crave are those of the well-rounded, well-read, and well-human'd.
Yes, it's fiction, but it's also very real. What happens to one family in The Book of Unknown Americans could happen to any family - yours, mine, or spread out across dozens of families. It's raw-life. What makes it so unbelievable and what makes you different, is that if you're enjoying a book, or reading my review on goodreads, you probably don't live in an area where desperation for safety and access to basic human rights are a concern.
This book will deliver so many emotions and on a level that even the most unsympathetic, entitled, American-born bastard ought to be able to embrace. If you can't put yourself in the shoes of the less-fortunate you have no business sharing your opinions about them. The opinions I crave are those of the well-rounded, well-read, and well-human'd.
Yes, it's fiction, but it's also very real. What happens to one family in The Book of Unknown Americans could happen to any family - yours, mine, or spread out across dozens of families. It's raw-life. What makes it so unbelievable and what makes you different, is that if you're enjoying a book, or reading my review on goodreads, you probably don't live in an area where desperation for safety and access to basic human rights are a concern.
I devoured this book in less than five hours and I laughed, cried, and sighed. It is Immigration from the viewpoints of Latino individuals from all different parts of the world, and from different walks of life. Stereotypes about Spanish-speaking cultures should be obliterated by the acceptance your heart must make for every character in this book - no label fits them all, except for maybe struggling and hopeful. And aren't we all?